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Australian Institute of International Affairs - Western Australia

Equal Partnership in Dignified Development: Solutions to Dysfunctional Relationships in the Pacific Island Countries

Thu, 22 Aug 2019
17:30 - 19:30

 

The Australian Institute of International Affairs WA in partnership with the UWA Public Policy Institute presents this special event with international guest speaker Dr. Kaituu Funaki.
 
Reciprocity in Oceania is the cornerstone of all communities and failure to reciprocate results in loss of dignity or mana (spiritual authority).
 
In this lecture, Dr Kaituu Funaki, founder of the Dignified Pacific Initiative will argue that Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and the unbalanced ODA donor-recipient relationship has had the unintended consequence of a loss of dignity and feelings of inadequacy on the part of PICs. This has resulted in economic dependency and stagnation rather than independence and growth. He will assert that restoring balance by emphasising an equal ODA partnership and the way PICs can contribute to the global socio-economic system will lead to dignified development of PICs. This will reduce social issues caused by negative self-perception, improve sustainable use of resources, contribute to local and international security and promote harmony in the region.
 
Dr Kaituu will explore concepts of reciprocity and generosity in the context of Pacific development, with a particular focus on the strategic importance of Japan leading the way. Dr Funaki’s research has culminated in the development philosophy of Gross National Generosity, proposed as an alternative development framework that is rooted in the principles of reciprocity.
 
*** Capacity at the venue is limited and door sales may not be available. Pre-purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment! ***
 
Attendees are welcome to attend a post-lecture dinner at The University Club with Dr Kaituu in attendance. Bookings are not essential and can be made on the night.
 
If you are unable to purchase tickets online, please call the Secretary on (08) 6225 2515 or email wa.branch@internationalaffairs.org.au to book a seat.
 
About the speaker
 
Kaituu I Pangai Funaki holds an MBA (International Marketing and Business) and a PhD in Asia Pacific Studies
(Politics and International Relations) from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), Japan. He also has 10 years of professional experience in university administration and building international connections to Japanese higher education. Dr. Funaki was born and raised in the Kingdom of Tonga, worked as a banker, and has resided in Japan since 2000. His work focuses on Oceania and developing (recipient) countries with the goal of advancing dignity through the transformation of self-perceptions. His research proposed the new vision of Gross National Generosity (GNG), a sustainable development framework designed to articulate what ODA receiving countries could contribute to the SDGs from what they possess, and at the same time preserve these global resources for future generations. It is an alternative framework for assisting governments of developing countries to engage more resourcefully with international donors. He also established the Dignified Pacific Initiative (DPI - www.dignifiedpacific.com), with a mission of disseminating research findings and collaborating with like-minded individuals in various fields.
Ticket Type Price
Member $5.00 Sale Ended
Non-member $10.00 Sale Ended
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
Economics and Conference Room, Room 3.73, 3rd floor
Old Economics & Commerce Building (Bldg 351)
1/35 Stirling Highway, Hackett Entrance, Crawley WA 6009, Australia

PO Box 1326, South Perth, Western Australia, 6951, Australia

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